2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems and reliability

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has 150 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electronic stability control (esc). Owners most often flag cvt transmission reliability concerns: uses jatco cvt shared with other brands; long-term reliability questioned, though some owners report high mileage (280,000+ km) without fluid changes. fluid changes are critical. frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2008 model year

150
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
8
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2008 a good year for the Lancer?

Across the 9 Lancer model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2000) to 311 (2003). With 150 complaints, the 2008 Lancer sits abovethe model's median of 52.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
51
electronic stability control (esc)
25
suspension
24
structure
15
steering
15

Recalls affecting the 2008 Lancer

structure:frame and members

Campaign 20V279000

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Conne

visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

Campaign 18V071000

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach

engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys

Campaign 14V562000

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 O

service brakes, air:supply:check valve

Campaign 09V077000

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES. INCORRECT MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE MAY CAUSE THE CHECK VALVE TO STICK CLOSED WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VE

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided between the standard Lancer models and the high-performance Evolution variants. For standard Lancers (ES, GTS, Aspire, etc.), owner feedback is generally positive regarding reliability, practicality, and…

  • CVT transmission reliability concerns: uses JATCO CVT shared with other brands; long-term reliability questioned, though some owners report high mileage (280,000+ km) without fluid changes. Fluid changes are critical. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Electrical gremlins: issues include non-responsive accelerator pedal (2013 model), headlights staying on permanently (2008 model), and complete electrical system failures (radio, wipers, HVAC) with flickering lights. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Lancer. See the full Lancer owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Lancer listings typically run $6,543–$9,497 across 2007 to 2017 model years.

Other Lancer model years

Compare every Lancer year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Lancer against its rivals